title: Word recognition score changes after stapedectomy for far advanced otosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine word recognition score (WRS) changes after stapedectomy for far-advanced otosclerosis (FAO). The WRS changes were examined to determine whether they were consistent with acclimatization or recovery from auditory deprivation changes that have been seen after the restoration of sound by amplification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private otology practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 patients were selected by including all the case in which a stapedectomy was performed within the past 10 years to improve the hearing of a severe or profoundly hearing-impaired patient with otosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in WRSs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One month after surgery, the mean WRS had improved 16.5%. The WRSs continued to improve an additional 12% or more for 17 (71%) of 24 patients within 2 years after their initial postoperative hearing test. The mean WRS improvement within 2 years of the initial postoperative test was 16.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial WRS changes were attributed to hearing thresholds no longer being at or beyond audiometric limits. Additional WRS changes were consistent with reports of acclimatization or recovery from auditory deprivation that have been seen after hearing aid use. The authors believe these additional WRS changes illustrate that at least some improvement in WRSs from acclimatization or auditory recovery may be fairly common after the restoration of sound. Finally, the authors believe the overall WRS improvement (32.7%) should be taken into account when considering stapedectomy for patients with FAO.
authors.affiliation: Warren Otologic Group, Ohio 44484, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lippy
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burkey
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Arkis
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013199:Stapes / Q000473:pathology*; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D013997:Time Factors